Some Thoughts on the VLR

I am really looking forward to the Virtual Leadership Retreat, and hope that many of my colleagues will participate. Given the high costs of traveling to conferences, the possibility of using technology in this way is a real boost to our community. To be able to virtually “attend” conferences for a nominal fee, from home and at a time that is convenient for each person, must be practical as well as cost-effective for everyone. Could there be an easier way to recharge our collective batteries?!

The main drawback to a virtual conference is the lack of face-to-face interaction and sharing of ideas. Here in Southern Ontario, we are planning to get small groups of area teachers together at one person’s home to watch certain presentations, and follow the video with coffee and discussion. In this way, the Virtual Leadership Retreat can be both local, and international. It will be a wonderful opportunity to build relationships on the local level, and since many teachers have never been to a Suzuki conference, I expect that it will be an opportunity to inspire those who haven’t yet been, to think of going to the 2010 conference.

I’d like to suggest that other teachers actively promote this idea in their area, to ensure that the VLR is a success.

Kelly Williamson holds a BMus in performance with Distinction from McGill University, and a MMus in performance from l’Université de Montréal. As a student, she participated in private lessons and master classes with Geoffrey Gilbert and Peter Lloyd, as well as other well-known flutists, and has studied privately with Toshio Takahashi, founder of the Suzuki Flute School. She was an active freelance musician and private teacher in Montreal for many years, and was also Suzuki Flute Coordinator at the McGill Conservatory, before relocating to Cambridge, Ontario. Kelly has been a frequent clinician in schools and an adjudicator at music festivals, and is invited to teach at workshops all around the world. She was appointed a Teacher Trainer in flute in May 2006, serves on the teacher development committee for the SAA, is the current SAA representative to the ISA flute committee, and contributes regularly to the American Suzuki Journal.